The Rondelet (or roundelay) is a brief French
form of poetry. It
consists of one stanza, made up of seven lines. It contains a
refrain, a strict rhyme scheme
and a distinct meter
pattern.

The word is from the diminutive of rondel,
meaning round. This is the basic structure:

Line 1 :: A -- four syllables Line 2 :: b --
eight syllables Line 3 :: A -- repeat of line one Line 4 :: a --
eight syllables Line 5 :: b -- eight syllables Line 6 :: b -- eight
syllables Line 7 :: A -- repeat of line one

The refrained lines should contain the same
words, however - substitution or different use of punctuation on
the lines has been common.

The term originates from late middle English:
from Old
Frenchrondelet,
from rondel. The change
in ending was due to association with the final syllable of
virelay.